Pre-Operative Instructions

Six weeks prior to surgery

• Discontinue smoking and alcoholic beverages as these may lead to stomach ulcerations, poor healing, and post-operative complications. Alcohol adds significant calories to your diet without any nutritional benefit.

One week prior to surgery

• Discontinue all anti-inflammatory medications: Advil, Aleve, Motrin, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.
• Discontinue all anti-coagulant (blood thinner) medications: Coumadin, Warfarin, Lovenox, Xarelto, Pradaxa, Eliquis, Plavix, as well as Vitamin E and fish oil
• Begin a sugar free, low calorie diet.
• Clear liquids may include items such as: water, decaffeinated coffee or tea, low calorie sports drinks (Gatorade G2 or Powerade Zero), broth, sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, fruit or vegetable juices, Crystal Light, sugar free Kool Aid, or sugar free flavored waters.
• You may also have low carb (less than 10 grams of sugar), high protein (more than 20 grams of protein) shakes per day. We will calculate the amount of high protein shakes that you are allowed to consume. Examples include: Adkins, Isopure, Premier Protein, or Bariatric Advantage
• See Pre–Operative Diet for further details.
• If you are diabetic, please check with your primary care provider prior to starting a liquid diet, as adjustments may need to be made to your medications to prevent low blood sugars.
• Make sure that you have all medications prescribed by your physician for both pre and post-op use.

One day prior to surgery

• It is very important that you drink at least 100 ounces of clear liquids today to ensure that you are well hydrated prior to surgery. This will help you both during surgery and in your recovery afterwards.
• Before going to bed, take gabapentin 400 mg tablet. (Your doctor will prescribe)
• Except as instructed by your surgeon or anesthesiologist, take nothing by mouth for 24 hours before surgery. Avoid red or purple liquids.

Day of surgery

• Four hours prior to your scheduled surgery start time take Emend(Aprepitant) 40 mg tablet. (Your doctor will prescribe)
• Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing.
• Consider bringing a jacket or a light blanket as hospitals are often cold.
• Leave valuables at home.
• Remove jewelry and/or piercings.
• Remove contact lenses (or bring contact case with you).
• If you use a CPAP machine, bring it with you to the hospital.
• BE EXCITED! THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A BETTER, HEALTHIER LIFE!

To learn more about care after bariatric surgery or just to talk with someone who understands the life-changing decisions you are making right now, please call 940-577-2090 or email us at info@expertsurgical.com